Marabou Craft

Are Marabou Storks Killed For Their Feathers?

I need to make Gabriel’s wings for this years nativity but am stuck on where to get the feathers from. Most craft shops sell Marabou feathers but after doing a little research I found that these birds are african. I can’t find any more information on this market. Do they kill the birds for food and the feathers are leftovers, a byproduct of the meat industry? Or is it the feathers that are valuable? On another note; do you happen to know where I can buy feathers from happy, alive birds?

Marabou feathers are a product of the “decorative feather industry” Their is no Marabou Stork meat industry to speak of though some may do end up at the table.
However, like you, I am not exactly sure if they are from farmed storks and “moulted” (drop offs) or plucked feathers (like sheep wool shearing) or if the storks are killed then plucked.

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